saralaughs

Based on the character in the book, I had a vision of a sensual, exotic scent that is regal and sophisticated at the same time. I let myself down; meaning I expected a bit too much from Lady Una, me thinks. It's a very beautiful sweet musk scent that has a bit of a tart/fruity edge to it, so it is very nice. Just not what I wanted from the scent. My skin doesn't cooperate sometimes.

Definitely some lemon in this. Don't expect the grapefruit to be juicy and 'round' smelling either. It's very tart, sharp, and almost dry smelling. Makes me think that sandalwood may be in this. The musk is very nice and a glowing one at that. Makes me wish I could tolerate the sharpness of the citrus but that is usually a deal breaker for me.

It really is kinda weird. Like Gin, the pine note in the background ruins this one for me. I wish it worked; the lovely, cold-like coconut with the beautiful flowers and just a bit of indistinct fruit? LOVE. Add a dash of pine and it's all over for me.

I don't like laurel as a note. Very bitter plantiness when first applied. It does calm down but never really gets sickly sweet as honey is usually wont to do. Good for those that are into something that isn't so sweet but love honey.

This is really similiar to Katrina van Tassel, except without the cream that ruined that blend for me. This is the beautiful honey that is in O v5 and Half Elf v5 as well. A light, sweet clover honey that isn't think and cloying but fresh and beautiful. I get green herbs and a bit of rose but it's a rose that is mellow and in the background instead of front and center. Beautiful!

Definitely red wine. With strong tannins. On me, this is a barely sweet red wine with bay and some laurel.

The florals in this are gorgeous and really scream spring and the smoke and benzoin really do give it a mysterious quality that is lovely and a bit powdery but the tea leaf and ginger combine in this to make it really astringent on my skin. Not quite what I was looking for in this blend.

Quite a pretty musky floral. The citrus as well as the citrus blossoms in here make this pop. It reminds me very much of Parker Lily, only like Parker Lily Lite. A pretty white floral that is a bit heady and sweet with a bit of light musk, all grounded by a base of creamy sandalwood. As mxtine above me said, demure but also a bit ethereal. Possibly bottle material.

Very blossomy without being totally floral. The lemon and orange blossom really tie together in this so that I'm unable to pick them out completely. The sandalwood creates a very good base for this scent but it is a bit dry for my tastes. The musk is nice and apparent as well. Musky blossomy sandalwood = nice blend.

A very powdery perfume. After applied, it really is powdery, but it is a very smooth 'powder', not sharp in the slightest and way late after drying, it turns to something that is very resinous and ambery with a hint of floral and herbs. Very beautiful and I'm so glad I got to try it.

Olive oil, beeswax, and smoke. This would be a nice beeswax scent for me if it wasn't for the olive oil and smoke. It takes on this powdery yet oily feeling and is a bit too pungent for me. I'm starting to come the the conclusion that I do not care for olive (the fruit, blossom, or oil).

I have to agree with ZeeZee on this. This is more of a floral blend than anything. Initially it starts with a blast of chocolate and cherry but the cherry immediately starts to fade, being replaced with what I thought was violet but may be narcissus (another point I agree with her on). The chocolate is still there but only in the background, adding a richness to the floral. I also get a bit of pepper or something like it.

Red musk and patchouli. And, IMO, this isn't the smooth refined patch that I get in other blends (such as MME) but dirty and very raw. It gets stronger on me as drydown happens and I end up smelling a bit like BO.

Very stem like and green with a sappy sweetness when first applied. It reminds me wholly of High-Strung Diasies expect with a hint of berry instead of floral. And it is berry-ish. If I had no idea of the name of this, I don't know as if I would be able to pick it out as strawberry. I mean, I may only because I do not like the smell of most other red berries and I like this but it is very light and almost like a hint of juice instead of the actual fruit. This does get more floral on me as it dries.

First applied, I may have gotten lavendar but it was a weird lavendar. It morphs quickly into a spicy scent, very likely cinnamon with a musky vibe. Maybe some sandalwood in there as well and definitely almond. Maybe some vanilla but more of a dry, cinnamon tinged almond.

Damn gorgeous. Beautiful smooth lavendar (I don't say that about lavendar often, so when I do, I mean it) with creamy, deep amber that just glows. This is my favorite amber as it doesn't go powdery and is deep and resinous. There may be a bit of teak in here but I think that may be the effect of the amber/vanilla/musk combining. Evocative, exotic, damn gorgeous.

Sweet clove. I get no cardamom or cinnamon but definitely CLOVE. It's like my nemisis. Anyway, clove and coconut but a dry and unsweetened coconut. Add in some dry sandalwood and you get DRYNESS that is sharp. There is a floral element that lifts this a bit; a bit of orchid gives it a lighter and almost creamy feel. I can see why some love it (clove lovers, I'm looking at you) but it's not for me.

First application, I get lotus and/or lotus blossom (the bubblegum), very pink feeling with a bit fo coconut. Instead of being like a cold drink like the released version, this is warm skin that has been sunning all day. Warm vanilla on me (or maybe tonka, it was a deeper vanilla, that is for sure) with maybe a hint of amber or really smooth, lush sandalwood. It ends up being on me like a lush, exotic coconuty floral lotion that is made in some exotic locale.

Very gourmand blend. One of those that are foody without being totally about cake, you know? Orange or mandarin. I'm thinking mandarin cuz it smells realistic enough for me to reach out and squeeze it. It fades fast and melds into the background though, which makes me a little sad. There is a bit of cake in this one, yellow cake maybe? And a touch of vanilla or buttercream but nothing too heavy. It's also very amberish, maybe golden amber. That adds the element that keeps it from going into the total foodish catagory and makes it warm and interesting. Nice enough blend but not for me. The citrus becomes a bit too sharp on drydown and sits there in the background, taking away from everything else for me.

This is the first Bpal oil to ever give me a reaction. My skin, where applied, welled and turned red. It didn't hurt but it was weird to see. Anyway... Very much a coffee cake with crumble on top. But like a dry coffee cake that is on the discount rack at the grocery store because it is expiring within the next day. Very dry and spicy, I think cinnamon was a strong component in this one. Buttery as well.

On my skin, I only get the cocoa and cassia at the very beginning, when first applied. I'm left with a white cake that is heavily doused in sweetened coconut. I don't mind that a bit.

Very light and almost herbal incense. Dry, dry sandalwood with maybe a touch of lavendar? Very oldish smelling and dusty.

This really is refreshing! For once the verbena doesn't beat the hell out of the other components. The green tea and osmanthus are absolutely beautiful together, making this a be warm and fuzzy but refreshing at the same time. Very bright and clean.

Dark rose that is sort of sweet. The opium is strong in this and lends a very dark, almost smoldering effect and is definitely the main show. Leather is soft yet black and in the background.

This really surprised me. First applied, it's very green smelling, like stems or perhaps grass. I dunno why I think balsam is in everything these days but perhaps, perhaps it makes an appearance here? I dunno but it's not chemical-like on me at all. It like a whiff of sweet body sweat from dancing too much. It does have a sort of calogne like vibe going on but a good one. About an hour after dry down though, that is when magic happens. You remember your teenage crush and how he/she smelt after a good make out session? Musky and sweet and a bit sweaty? Like skin only better? This is it.